FIFE police officers are set to be kitted out with life-saving drug naloxone in a bid to reduce drug-related deaths in Scotland.

The national roll-out will see officers from various divisions carrying the life-saving nasal spray, which can be used without any adverse effects and is used to treat those suffering from an opioid overdose.

It's hoped that by equipping the police with this medication, drug-related deaths will be reduced. In 2020, there were 1,339 drug-related deaths in Scotland.

All officers involved in community and response will be trained in using the drug after trials were carried out in Dundee, Falkirk, Glasgow, Stirling and Caithness.

Chief Constable Ian Livingstone said: “I know the terrible toll of drugs deaths in Scotland and policing is committed to playing our part in reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities.

“Preservation of life, keeping people safe, lies right at the heart of policing. We have a purpose and remit which goes beyond law enforcement. We have a positive legal duty to improve the lives of our communities. Equipping and training officers with naloxone will contribute to that mission."

The roll-out was recommended in an independent academic review, co-ordinated by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, conducted from March to October 2021 while the trial showed 656 officers carrying the drug, using this on 62 occasions.

Plans are now under way to provide a national training programme for the officers and Police Scotland are working to secure the stock of naloxone in the coming months.